SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday foiled separatist “UN March” by imposing tough curfew and detaining top separatist leaders while curbs and shutdown remained in force in the Valley for 40th consecutive day today.
Authorities imposed tough curfew and restrictions in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley to foil separatists “UN March”. All the entry and exit points in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley were sealed by police and paramilitary personnel.
The cops had also sealed all the roads leading to United Nations military observers’ office at Sonawar in Srinagar. The cops had placed armoured vehicles and concertina wires on the roads to prevent people from taking to roads and marching towards the UN office.
Police also detained top separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq when they tried to defy house arrest restrictions and march towards UN office.
Geelani was detained outside his Hyderpora residence and lodged in Police Station Humhama. Mirwaiz was detained by the cops outside his Nageen residence and lodged in Police Station Nageen.
Both the leaders were later released in the evening and again placed under house arrest at their respective residences.
Geelani, Mirwaiz and detained JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik had yesterday called on people to march towards UN office for 72-hour to stress on the world body to “intervene and resolve the Kashmir issue”.
Despite tough curfew and restrictions, people at many places in Srinagar attempted to march towards the UN office. However, they were disallowed and dispersed by the security men.
People at many places in Srinagar including Magarmal Bagh in uptown Srinagar and Nawa-Kadal in downtown Srinagar staged a sit-in against the civilian killings in Valley.
The youth at many places also clashed with the security personnel. During the clashes, police and paramilitary personnel fired tear smoke shells and resorted to heavy baton charge to disperse the protestors, who pelted stones on them.
The Valley has been witnessing regular clashes between security force personnel and youth since last 40 days.
At least 66 people including two policemen have been killed in ongoing unrest in the Valley triggered by the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in South Kashmir’s Kokernag area on July 8. Thousands of people have also been injured in clashes between security personnel and youth during protests in the Valley.
At least five civilians were killed in security forces firing in Valley yesterday.
Since July 9, life in Valley has remained crippled due to curfew and restrictions imposed by authorities and shutdown called by the separatists.
The separatists have extended the strike call till August 18.
Internet and mobile services in the Valley have remained suspended. The broadband services was snapped last week while mobile telephony internet was snapped on July 9.
The educational institutions in the Valley have remained closed since last 40 days while the working of banks and government offices has been badly hit.